Jurnal Sipakatau
Vol. 3 No. 4 (2026): Jurnal Sipakatau

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy Strategy: An Analysis Of Its Response To The 2011 Moratorium On Indonesian Migrant Workers Using The Allison Model

Josephira Carla Karenina (Brawijaya University, Indonesia)
Henny Rosalinda (Brawijaya University, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study analyzes Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy decision-making in response to Indonesia’s 2011 moratorium on migrant worker dispatch, an episode underexplored from the receiving state’s perspective. A qualitative single-case study was conducted using archival and document-based research, applying pattern-matching analysis against Graham T. Allison’s three-model framework. Saudi Arabia’s response a counter-ban issued nine days after the moratorium, concurrent diversification of labor sources, and sustained resistance to kafala reform reflects rational strategic calculation (Model I), activation of pre-existing bureaucratic Standard Operating Procedures (Model II), and internal political bargaining among actors with divergent interests (Model III). All three models are required for a comprehensive explanation. Model III findings rely on inference from public documents rather than internal Saudi sources and should be treated as analytically plausible interpretations rather than empirically verified conclusions. The single-case design limits generalizability. This study extends Allison’s framework beyond military crises to labor migration diplomacy and shifts analytical focus to the receiving state’s decision-making process, offering practical insights for Indonesia’s negotiation strategy.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

Sipakatau

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Computer Science & IT Engineering Environmental Science Health Professions Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Library & Information Science Mathematics Nursing Physics Social Sciences Veterinary Other

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1. Social Sciences, Economics, Psychology, Tourism, and Community Development Coaching and mentoring for leadership, performance improvement, and community empowerment Psychological and behavioral dimensions of community programs including motivation, behavior change, and ethics Volunteerism ...